Thanksgiving table: Set for thanks

Oct 01, 2010 11:00 AM by Bethany Lyttle

Posted in Holidays & Seasons / Thanksgiving / Thanksgiving Holiday Decorating

Thanksgiving Decorating

This time of year, the table serves as both a place to gather and a symbol of gratitude. Here, four ways to personalize yours.

(page 4 of 5)

3. Homespun Crafts

In the days before Thanksgiving, a sense of anticipation fills the house as preparations begin. Spend an afternoon enjoying this feeling along with some young helpers or friends.

This felt tablescape can be crafted days or weeks in advance to suit your schedule. Visit a fabric or craft supply store to buy wool felt, keeping in mind the length of your table and the number of guests. Cut a wide strip of felt in burnt orange for the bottom layer of the runner and a narrower green layer for the top. Wrap the candles and napkins with their lettered bands, and then arrange "falling leaves" along the table's length.

Candle bands

From wool felt, cut bands slightly narrower than each candle's length. Cut two of each letter for the "Giving Thanks" display. Secure one letter to each side of the band with spray adhesive.

Lit centerpiece

Spelled out on both the front and back of these candles, this tablescape can be enjoyed from both sides of the table. Light the slow-burning candles just before guests come into the room.

Felt for crafting comes in both wool and synthetic fibers. Wool will yield more natural-looking hues. For the bands and letters, use a light- or medium-weight felt. For the runner and leaves, a heavier weight is nice.

Monogram bands

Easy-to-make napkin rings cue guests to your seating plan. If more than one guest shares an initial, use a different color letter for each family. Let guests keep letters as party favors.

Felt monograms

With a stencil, trace and cut out each letter-shape. Apply to felt band with fabric glue. After wrapping band around a napkin, secure with double-sided tape.

Falling leaves

Using leaf-shaped cookie cutters, or real leaves as templates, trace and cut out as many as you like. For crisp silhouettes, use the Soft Touch Microtip scissors from Fiskars. Arrange leaves on runner.

Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Set for Thanks